The Role of a Black Church-School Partnership in Supporting the Educational Achievement of African American Students

Despite efforts of educators across the nation, African American students in the United States underperform their peers and experience graduation rates lower than any other ethnicity. The purpose of this case study was to gain an understanding, through the lenses of social learning theory (SLT) and critical race theory (CRT), of how a partnership between a Black church and an urban high school supports the achievement of African American students. Findings, consistent with the literature on the Black church's foundation, include the importance of relationships, equity, community, and commitment. Implications include the partnership's positive influence on student educational outcomes by meeting student needs of relationship and community. Interest convergence and counterstorytelling, tenets of CRT, are used to explain student success and support provided through partnership efforts.